COLUMBIA, S.C. — Cheerleaders across the Midlands competed at the 2024 competitive cheer state championship, showing off their athletic skills and pom-poms at the Colonial Life Arena.
The girls put on a show for the ultimate test and the trophy.
Senior Ava Kendrick recalls the hard work of preparing for her performance.
“I feel really good a lot less stressed I mean that was my last time competing in there and the energy was amazing, that was the biggest arena we could be in all seasons," she said.
After three successful years cheering for Mayriver High School, Kendrick said the routine they prepared for has been in action since May and takes more work than people realize.
“It takes a lot of athleticism, although our performance is only 2 [minutes] and 15 seconds; it is a short amount of time, but we have to do so much and do it so well in two minutes," she said.
Team captains Luxi King and Annika Mass, both juniors at Blue Ridge, say cheerleading is more than just a pretty show; it's a sport that requires your all.
“It’s a lot more than shiny uniforms, glitters and sparkles and bows," King said. "There is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes, like blood, sweat, tears, sicknesses, injuries. There is a lot more that people don’t see, but it all makes up for it and show people what we can do."
“If you’re a cheerleader and you love it so much, you want to work through your injuries just so you can be out on that mat to feel the amazing feeling of being the person everyone looks up to," said Mass.
The Carolina Cup 2025 Cheerleading Competition is scheduled for Feb. 15.
